On Monday 16 March 2026, Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, together with the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) and the Inclusive Finance Network Luxembourg (InFiNe), announced a new chapter for the European Microfinance Award (EMA).
After 20 years of recognising excellence in microfinance, the award will now be known as the Luxembourg Award for Inclusive Finance.
According to the official press release, this evolution represents both continuity and adaptation to the profound changes shaping the financial inclusion sector. It also reflects Luxembourg's long-standing commitment to promoting more accessible, responsible and inclusive financial solutions worldwide.
Since its creation in 2005, the award has become an internationally recognised benchmark, highlighting innovative initiatives that expand access to financial services for underserved populations. Over two decades, it has showcased pioneering approaches, fostered knowledge sharing and strengthened a global ecosystem united by a common goal: making finance more inclusive, the statement added.
During this time, the financial inclusion landscape has evolved considerably. Where microfinance once formed the core of the sector, it now encompasses a broader range of solutions. Digital financial services, microinsurance, climate-resilient finance, small enterprise inclusion and responsible fintech innovation are shaping a new generation of tools designed to widen access to finance.
The Luxembourg Award for Inclusive Finance (LAIF) reflects this broader reality and aims to recognise the diversity of initiatives that are transforming access to financial services today. Alongside its new name, the award has also received a refreshed visual identity, reflecting its evolving vision and the expanding landscape of inclusive finance.
"After 20 years dedicated to promoting excellence in microfinance, this evolution represents a natural step towards inclusive finance. Indeed, inclusive finance is broader and has a stronger impact around the world, also allowing for the use of innovative tools," said Anne Bastin, Executive Director of InFiNe.
"This is a natural evolution of the award and the sector it represents. The Luxembourg Award for Inclusive Finance reflects how inclusive finance has grown and diversified, while maintaining the rigour and credibility that have defined the award since its inception," added Christoph Pausch, Executive Secretary of e-MFP.
The award will maintain its international focus, continuing to celebrate innovation, excellence and measurable impact across all regions of the world.
The press release added that the rebranding also highlights Luxembourg’s growing role in advancing inclusive finance globally.
Applications for this year's edition of the award are now open. According to the organisers, the theme, "Unlocking Youth-Inclusive Finance", reflects a rapidly emerging dynamic within the sector. Around the world, a new generation is gaining access to financial services through evolving technologies, practices and business models. By focusing on youth financial inclusion, this edition seeks to highlight initiatives that support this transformation and open new pathways towards more accessible, responsible and forward-looking finance.
The award ceremony will take place during the Inclusive Finance 26 event in Luxembourg on Thursday 12 November 2026.
The Luxembourg Award for Inclusive Finance is organised jointly by Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, e-MFP and InFiNe.
For more information, visit inclusivefinanceaward.lu
